To be honest, I thought I’d have to deal with my dry hair forever.
It kinda seemed like a lost cause, what with the constant frizz, flyaways, and breakage. I figured a messy bun would be my hairstyle for life.
After years of battling dry hair, I stumbled upon some updated hair conditioning treatments. I couldn’t believe that something so easy could be that effective!
Dry hair treatments are different to your routine shampoo and conditioner. A deep hair conditioner for dry hair is specifically designed to target brittle or dull-looking locks with powerful ingredients to aid in restoring shine and adding back hydration.
Whether you're dealing with naturally fragile hair or you've overprocessed your mane, there's hope! Here’s how to take care of dry hair at home.
One of the most popular types of deep repair conditioner is the in-shower conditioner. This type of treatment is used after shampooing, to replace the moisture that’s lost while cleansing your hair. Fun fact: most people with dry hair wash their hair too often. It’s best to try and stretch out the time between washes.
So, if you have fine hair, wash every other day. And if you have thick hair, shampoo even less frequently; try to limit washes to a couple times a week if you can. The great thing is that by doing less, you actually help your hair become softer and more manageable.
Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid (one of the best ingredients for hydration) and nourishing Jeju Soybean Extract and Oil, this deep conditioner for damaged black hair nourishes damaged strands. Gently massage through after washing. Leave in for 3 to 5 minutes before thoroughly rinsing with water.
Remember that regular conditioners work only on the cuticle (surface) of your hair and don’t affect the cortex (internal structure). For deeper hydration, reach for a leave-in conditioner. A leave in for dry hair is applied to damp hair after washing and is left in without rinsing. So easy AND good for the environment! This type of product is usually lightweight yet very effective at keeping hair soft, shiny, and hydrated.
We often get asked, ‘Can I put leave in conditioner on dry hair?’ Yes, you can. It just may not be as effective. We suggest applying conditioner to wet hair, as this is when locks are the least porous. This means the product can better work its magic on strands to really deliver that deep hydration and conditioning your hair is crying out for.
Not only a great leave in conditioner but this dry hair treatment also provides heat protection too. Who doesn’t love a 2-in-1 hair product? This is also a great men's leave in conditioner for dry hair, as it suits all hair textures and lengths. Spritz on damp hair and comb through to gently detangle and restore hair. Sulphate-, paraben-, and cruelty-free.
If your hair is damaged at all (from rough brushing, heat-styling, sun, chlorine—you get the idea), this leave in conditioner has your name written all over it. It’s an effective strengthening treatment that aims to rebuild your hair while also preventing future damage with its heat-protecting powers. As one of the best deep conditioners for dry curly hair, Aveda botanical repair strengthening leave-in treatment contains 99% naturally derived ingredients and uses 100% post-consumer recycled packaging.
OK, it’s time to bring in the big guns. Maybe your hair feels hydrated, but you’re still wondering how do you deep condition. It’s time for a deep moisturising hair treatment or mask. Using a conditioning hair mask at least once a week is essential for dry and damaged hair, especially bleached hair. Masks with natural oils are great for dry hair, but damaged hair needs seriously strong products.
This deep conditioning mask contains Ceramides, which provide long-term strength to each individual hair fibre to protect against further damage. This treatment also contains Glucopeptides, which restore your hair’s cuticle to create shiny, resilient strands. Finally, this dreamy hair mask offers an added punch of strength with Hyaluronic Acid, which holds an amazing 1,000 times its own weight in water. Hyaluronic Acid works to plump up locks, which is why this is the best deep conditioner for dry brittle hair. Try it for your next self-care Sunday sesh! After washing your hair, massage all the way through your strands and leave in for 3 to 5 minutes.
This rich and creamy formula sinks in deeply to nourish hair. There’s a reason it’s reached cult status! This fast-acting formula strengthens hair from within using Prickly Pear Seed Oil to repair and regenerate locks. The best deep conditioner for dry coloured hair, this mask also utilises Inula Flower Extract to protect natural and artificial hair pigments (and make it smell sooo good).
For more info, check out our guide to the best Christophe Robin hair masks.
Do you ask yourself, ‘Why does my hair feel dry after deep conditioning?’ If you're simultaneously damaging and trying to repair your hair, you’ll be caught in an endless cycle. Focus on eliminating harmful habits and let your hair repair itself.
One of the best things you can do is to go with the flow and accept your hair’s natural texture. If your hair is curly, let it air-dry—or opt for waves rather than straightening with heat.
When you next see your hairstylist, ask for a low-maintenance cut so you can keep styling time at a minimum. Plus, go for a hair colour that's no more than three shades lighter than your own colour (bleach can severely damage hair!). If you desperately need a change in your life, turn to colour glosses or a few contrasting streaks. You don’t have to go totally natural, but making a few lifestyle changes can totally get your hair looking sleek and feeling smooth again.
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